The Physics of the Death Star
How to destroy an Alderaan-sized planet.
“What’s that star?
It’s the Death Star.
What does it do?
It does Death. It does Death…
Ethan Siegel
The Universe is: Expanding, cooling, and dark. It starts with a bang! #Cosmology Science writer, astrophysicist, science communicator & NASA columnist.
Starts With A Bang!Ethan SiegelSep 18, 2014
Starts With A Bang!Ethan Siegel8 hrs ago
Throwback Thursday: Earth’s second moon?
Another world orbits the Sun once a year at the same distance as our planet.
“The moon was like this awesome, romantic…
Starts With A Bang!Ethan Siegel21 hrs ago
Death is not the end
Lessons from the Universe whenever a light goes out.
“End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all…
Starts With A Bang!Ethan Siegel3 days ago
Mostly Mute Monday: Crater chains of the Moon
Do craters only come in isolation? These images will make you think again!
“These spots have never been observed by…
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Throwback Thursday: Earth’s second moon?Starts With A Bang!Ethan Siegel4 days ago
Weekend Diversion: Bubbles on Ice
Amazing, fun and beautiful. So long as the cold doesn’t bother you, anyway.
“The only frozen heart around here is yours.” -Anna…
Ask Ethan #76: The very early Universe
What happened when things were hot enough to spontaneously create matter and antimatter?
“It followed from the special theory…
Throwback Thursday: The science of bottomless pits
What would happen if you dove into a hole straight through the Earth?
“Where you used to be, there is a hole in…
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Don’t trust your theoretical “proof”
Theorems are gold in math. But in physics? The Universe will surprise you.
“What we need is more people who specialize in the…
Observing Night
All you need are clear skies, a telescope, and a plan. Make it a great one.
“For my confirmation, I didn’t get a watch and my first pair of long…
Mostly Mute Monday: A Comet Comes Alive!
As comets approach near the Sun, they develop tails. Watch it happen.
“In the year 1456 … a Comet was seen passing…
Weekend Diversion: The Math of Powerball
It’s the richest lottery game in the USA. When is it worth it to play?
“I’ve done the calculation and your chances of…